Resolution No. 1189 Gig Harbor, Washington

RESOLUTION NO. 1189 A RESOLUTION OF THE Cinr COUNCIL OF THE CH-Y OF GIG HARBOR, WASHINGTON, EXPRESSING THE CITY'S OPPOSITION TO ANY RECOMMENDATION OF BROAD- SCALE EXPANSION OF THE TACOMA NARROWS AIRPORT WHEREAS,both the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) and the Washington State Commercial Aviation Coordinating Commission (CACC) are conducting studies on the potential for the expansion of commercial aviation in western Washington State; and WHEREAS, both the PSRC and the CACC have identified the Tacoma Narrows Airport as a location with potential for expansion; and WHEREAS,expansion of the Tacoma NarrowsAirport will lead to increased traffic problems to the already highly congested SR 16 corridor. The increase in trafficwill likely overwhelm the infrastructure capacity of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, SR 16, 36th Street and Olympic Drive; and WHEREAS, increased commercial air traffic will lead to intolerable noise and air pollution for residents in and around the City of Gig Harbor. Such pollution would destroy the City's charm and appeal as working waterfront community and would decimate the City's tourism and real estate industries. The harbor would become an extended airline approach runway path for airplanes at a terrible cost to the City; and WHEREAS,expanded runway length at Tacoma NarrowsAirport may result in the need to condemn public and privatelyowned land; and WHEREAS, Pierce County, in its capacity as the sponsor of the airport, has expressed no interest in pursuing expansion of the Tacoma NarrowsAirport; and WHEREAS,the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has identified several limitations of the Tacoma NarrowsAirport's suitabilityfor expansion including runway length, acreage availability, traffic congestion, strong community opposition, and the natural Puget Sound barrierto access; NOW, THEREFORE, THE C\TY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GIG HARBOR, WASHINGTON, HEREBY RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS: Section 1. The City Council, with support by the Mayor, hereby adopts the recitals expressed above as Findings of Fact in support of this Resolution. The City Council and Mayor hereby makes known their opposition to any broad-scale expansion, or recommendation of expansion, of the Tacoma Narrows Airport based on these Findings of Fact. Broad-scale expansion is defined as any expansion that includes extending the length of the existing 5,000 foot runway at the airport. Page 1 of 2 Section 2. The City Council hereby directs the Mayor to prepare a letter stating the City's opposition to any broad-scale expansion, or recommendation of expansion, of the Tacoma Narrows based on the Findings of Fact. The letter should be delivered to the Puget Sound Regional Council, the Washington State Commercial Aviation Coordinating Committee, the City's State and Federal representatives, the Pierce County Council and any other governing bodies, organizations, and individualsthat the Mayordeems appropriate. Section 3. The Mayor is hereby directed to reach out to the City's State and Federal representatives and request that they submit comment letters on the City's behalfto the PSRC and the CACC. Section 4. The Mayor, as a delegate to the PSRC General Assembly, is hereby directed to engage directly with the PSRC and its President to convey the City's opposition to expansion based on the Findingsof Fact. Section 5. The Mayor, City Administrator and councilmembers are hereby authorized and encouraged to engage with governing bodies, organizations, and individuals to convey a message of opposition to expansion of the airport consistent with the Findings of Fact on behalfof the City. RESOLVED by the City Council this 26th day of October, 2020. APPROVED: ^x. Kit Kuhn, Mayor ATTEST/AUTHENTICATED: Molly Towsl , City Clerk FILED WITH THE C\7\ CLERK: 10/13/18 PASSED BY THE CIT>' COUNCIL: 10/26/18 RESOLUTIONNO. 1189 Page 2 of 2.

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